De dwerg Oswald van Stroblbardt, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

Around 1710, Martin Engelbrecht created this etching titled ‘De dwerg Oswald van Stroblbardt,’ now held at the Rijksmuseum. Engelbrecht lived in an era where societal hierarchies were visually reinforced, and printed images played a crucial role in shaping public perception. This hand-colored etching presents a figure identified as Oswald von Stroblbardt, a dwarf, in a manner that reflects the period’s complex attitudes toward physical difference and social status. The inscription suggests a satirical commentary on social mobility, possibly mocking the aspirations of those considered marginal. The use of the term "dwarf" itself carries historical baggage, reflecting a time when people with dwarfism were often objects of curiosity and ridicule. The artwork prompts us to consider how individuals with disabilities were represented and perceived in the early 18th century, inviting a dialogue about the power dynamics embedded in visual culture. It serves as a reminder of the emotional weight of these historical representations.